Nick Suzuki picked the right night to be the game’s First Star. The Montréal Canadiens captain put up 1 goal and 2 assists in a 6-3 road win over the Buffalo Sabres, nudging his team ahead 3-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. It was efficient and timely, the kind of playoff performance that tilts a series.

Played in front of 19,070 at KeyBank Center, Montréal answered Buffalo’s fast start with a dominant middle frame and never looked back. The NHL Playoffs stage suited Suzuki just fine.

Captain sets the tone

Suzuki’s imprint was everywhere. He set up an even-strength goal in the first period to keep Montréal in touch, then buried his only shot of the night on the power play in the second to flip momentum. He later added a third-period power-play assist to cap a three-point outing.

The Canadiens got what they expect from No. 14 in a pressure spot. Calm on the puck, sharp in transition, and clinical when chances arrived.

Power play that changed the game

Buffalo’s 3-2 lead after one didn’t last long once Montréal’s power play found rhythm. Suzuki’s second-period goal on the man advantage steadied the Canadiens, who went on to score three in the middle frame. His third-period helper, also on the power play, helped close the door.

That split of production matters. Suzuki contributed at even strength and on special teams, the classic playoff combination that wins road games.

All-around shifts, not just points

The stat line tells a fuller story. Suzuki scored on his only shot, finished with two hits and two blocks, and took 16 faceoffs, winning six for a 37.5% clip. He did not light up the dot, but he won the important puck touches in open play and kept shifts tidy with zero penalty minutes.

Plus/minus at 0 on a six-goal night might look modest, yet his timing on entries and patience on the half wall were exactly what Montréal needed. Small plays added up around the big ones.

What it means for the series

With a 3-2 series lead, the Canadiens have earned themselves two chances to close out the Sabres. Suzuki’s three points in Game 5 felt like captain stuff, the kind of steadying performance that travels in the NHL Playoffs. If Montréal carries the same power-play sharpness into the next game, Buffalo will have little margin.

You can follow the series on Sofascore for live NHL scores, box score details, and Nick Suzuki’s match page, including his Sofascore Rating and all player stats from Game 5.